Axle arrangement of a vehicle

The multi-link axle arrangement optimizes vehicle space by positioning connection points behind and below the wheel axle, addressing space constraints and enhancing ride comfort and component placement.

WO2025191094A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-09-18BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2025/056940
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-03-15
Filing Date
2025-03-13
Publication Date
2025-09-18

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

State-of-the-art vehicle axle arrangements often conflict with vehicle geometry, restricting installation space, particularly in modern vehicles with air suspension, and can protrude into the vehicle interior, limiting space for passengers and components.

Method used

A multi-link axle arrangement with optimized connection points, where the wheel carrier is connected to the vehicle body via control arms and spring/damper elements, with connection points positioned behind and below the wheel axle, allowing for a compact design that maximizes space above and in front of the axle area.

Benefits of technology

This design efficiently utilizes installation space, providing more room for passengers and additional components, while ensuring optimal suspension kinematics and ride comfort.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to an axle arrangement (1) of a vehicle (100), the axle arrangement comprising: a wheel carrier (2) which has a wheel axle (20); a plurality of links (3) which are connected to the wheel carrier (2); and a spring and / or damper element (4), wherein the wheel carrier (2) can be attached, in particular exclusively, to a body (50) and / or to an axle carrier of the vehicle (100) via the links (3) and the spring and / or damper element (4), wherein the spring and / or damper element (4) is directly connected to the wheel carrier (2) at a first attachment point (11), wherein the first attachment point (11) is positioned behind the wheel axle (20) with respect to a direction of travel (101) of the vehicle (100) and below the wheel axle (20) in the vertical direction (102), wherein the plurality of links (3) comprises a camber link (31) which is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at a second attachment point (12), wherein the second attachment point (12) is positioned behind the wheel axle (20) with respect to the direction of travel (101) of the vehicle (100) and below the wheel axle (20) in the vertical direction (102), and wherein the first attachment point (11) is positioned vertically below the second attachment point (12).
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Description

[0001] Axle arrangement of a vehicle

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an axle arrangement of a vehicle and a vehicle.

[0004] State-of-the-art vehicle axle arrangements are known which comprise a multitude of interconnected components. For example, multi-link rear axles are known with various connection points on a wheel carrier for the spring, dampers and various control arms, such as wishbones and trailing arms. Starting from the wheel carrier, the spring and dampers usually extend vertically upwards. As a result, these components often conflict with the geometry of the vehicle structure, such as the body. They can also sometimes extend far into the vehicle interior, which often restricts the available space, particularly in the area of ​​the rear row of seats. This problem is particularly exacerbated in modern vehicles, which often feature air suspension, due to the typically large dimensions of the air suspension elements.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an axle arrangement of a vehicle which enables an optimized use of installation space in the axle area and in particular more installation space above the axle area.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. The subclaims contain preferred developments of the invention.

[0007] The object is thus achieved by an axle arrangement of a vehicle, comprising a wheel carrier, a plurality of control arms, and a spring and / or damper element. The wheel carrier has a wheel axle, in particular about which a wheel attachable to the wheel carrier can rotate. The control arms of the plurality of control arms are connected to the wheel carrier. The wheel carrier can be connected, preferably exclusively, via the control arms and the spring and / or damper element to a body and / or to an axle carrier of the vehicle, for example an elastically mounted one. The spring and / or damper element is connected directly to the wheel carrier at a first connection point. The first connection point is arranged behind the wheel axle with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle and vertically below the wheel axle.

[0008] In other words, an axle arrangement is provided, which is particularly designed as a multi-link axle, wherein the wheel carrier can be connected to the vehicle body, preferably exclusively via the links and the spring and / or damper element. The first connection point, which in particular forms a mechanical connection between the spring and / or damper element and the wheel carrier, is arranged behind the wheel axle, vertically below the wheel axle.

[0009] The axle arrangement therefore offers the advantage of particularly efficient use of installation space with regard to the body and interior of the vehicle on which the axle arrangement can be installed. Because the first connection point of the spring and / or damper element on the wheel carrier is moved far down and to the rear, a corresponding connection point, for example on the body side, at the other end of the spring and / or damper element can also be moved rearward and downward. This makes it possible to have an enlarged passenger compartment in the vehicle on which the axle arrangement can be installed, particularly towards the rear and bottom. In particular, more space can be provided in the area above and in front of the wheel carrier. Furthermore, improved space can be provided for the arrangement of additional control arms in the area of ​​the wheel carrier.

[0010] Preferably, the plurality of control arms comprises a camber arm, which is directly connected to the wheel carrier at a second connection point. The second connection point is arranged behind the wheel axle with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle and vertically below the wheel axle. This means that the second connection point for the camber arm, like the first connection point, is located vertically below the wheel axle and behind the wheel axle with respect to the direction of travel. This enables a particularly advantageous arrangement of the control arms of the axle arrangement, wherein a particularly large amount of free space can be provided for the body and / or the passenger compartment in the vertically upper and, with respect to the direction of travel, front area of ​​the axle arrangement.

[0011] Preferably, the first connection point is arranged vertically below the second connection point. This allows for a particularly low connection of the spring and / or damper element to the wheel carrier. In addition to a particularly advantageous geometry with regard to increased space in the vertically upper area above the axle assembly, this also allows for optimal kinematics of the vehicle's suspension and damping to ensure a high level of ride comfort for the occupants.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the camber arm has a through-opening through which the spring and / or damper element extends.

[0013] The camber arm can preferably have two legs, which are in particular formed together as a one-piece component, and between which the through-opening is formed. This enables optimal use of the installation space of the axle arrangement, particularly in the lower region of the wheel carrier. In particular, this makes it possible for the first connection point and the second connection point to be located close to one another, wherein the through-opening, which is preferably dimensioned accordingly, can provide a large range of movement for the spring and / or damper element and the camber arm. By having connection points on the wheel carrier located close to one another, a smaller, space-saving geometry of the wheel carrier can also be enabled, for example.

[0014] Further preferably, the plurality of control arms comprises a longitudinal control arm which is directly connected to the wheel carrier at a third connection point. The third connection point is arranged vertically below the wheel axle. This further advantageously enables parts of the axle arrangement to not protrude significantly upwards or forwards towards the passenger compartment. Preferably, the third connection point is arranged vertically below the first connection point and the second connection point. In particular, the third connection point can thus form the lowest connection point on the wheel carrier. Alternatively, the third connection point is preferably arranged vertically between the first connection point and the second connection point. Alternatively, the third connection point is preferably arranged vertically above the first connection point and the second connection point.This means that the third connection point can be the uppermost of these three connection points on the wheel carrier.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the spring and / or damper element comprises a damper and a spring. Preferably, the damper is directly connected to the wheel carrier at the first connection point. Preferably, the spring is also directly connected to the wheel carrier at the first connection point. In particular, the spring and damper thus form a common spring strut. Alternatively, the spring is preferably indirectly connected to the wheel carrier at a spring connection point. In this case, the spring and damper are arranged independently of one another. Preferably, the spring connection point can be arranged on the camber arm.

[0016] The axle arrangement preferably further comprises a stabilizer. The stabilizer is arranged behind the wheel axle. In particular, the stabilizer can be arranged completely behind the wheel axle. Alternatively, at least one stabilizer back, which for example forms a transverse connection between the two vehicle sides on one axle of the vehicle, is preferably arranged behind the wheel axle. This makes it possible to particularly reliably provide increased space in the area above and in front of the wheel carrier in the direction of the passenger compartment. The axle arrangement preferably further comprises a pendulum support by means of which the stabilizer is connected to the wheel carrier. The stabilizer is thus indirectly connected to the wheel carrier via the pendulum support. The pendulum support preferably extends substantially in the vertical direction.Preferably, the pendulum support is directly connected to the wheel carrier at a stabilizer connection point, with the stabilizer connection point being located below the wheel axle. This allows for optimal use of the available installation space and / or creates more space for additional components.

[0017] Preferably, the plurality of links comprises a total of five links. In particular, the axle arrangement is thus a five-link axle.

[0018] Further preferably, at least two of the plurality of control arms are jointly configured as a triangular control arm. Preferably, a transverse control arm and a longitudinal control arm are jointly configured as a single, in particular one-piece, triangular control arm. The triangular control arm can preferably be arranged in the upper region of the axle assembly and preferably connected to the wheel carrier at an upper connection point above the wheel axle.

[0019] Furthermore, the invention leads to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, particularly preferably a passenger car, comprising the described axle arrangement.

[0020] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. They show:

[0021] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic view of a vehicle with an axle arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0022] Figure 2 is a side view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1,

[0023] Figure 3 is a further side view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1,

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1,

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective detailed view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1, and

[0026] Figure 6 shows a further perspective detailed view of the axle arrangement of Figure 1.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of an axle assembly 1 of a vehicle 100 is described below. Reference is made to Figures 1 to 6. Identical or functionally identical components are always provided with the same reference numerals.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic perspective view of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car.

[0029] The vehicle 100 comprises an axle arrangement 1 according to the invention on each side of its rear wheel axle 20 in the direction of travel. The axle arrangements 1 are preferably designed and arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 100.

[0030] Details of the axle arrangement 1 according to the invention are shown in Figures 2 to 6 and are described below.

[0031] The axle arrangement 1 is a multi-link rear axle, which has a plurality of links 3, namely in detail five links 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.

[0032] Part of the axle arrangement 1 is also a wheel carrier 2, which is designed to be connected to a wheel 105 of the vehicle 100.

[0033] Furthermore, the axle arrangement 1 comprises a spring and / or damper element 4, which has a damper 41 and a spring 42.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, damper 41 and spring 42 are integrated into a single component, which can also be referred to, for example, as a spring strut. In an alternative (not shown) embodiment, the spring and / or damper element 4 can also be separated, i.e., damper 41 and spring 42 can be arranged as separate components at different positions.

[0035] The wheel carrier 2 of the axle assembly 1 is connected to a body 50 of the vehicle 100 exclusively via the control arms 3 and the spring and / or damper element 4. This means that, in particular, there is no direct mechanically fixed connection between the wheel carrier 2 and the body 50.

[0036] The arrangement and construction of the elements of the axle arrangement 1 are specifically designed to create the greatest possible space in the area towards the passenger compartment of the vehicle 100, that is to say in the direction of travel 101 in front of and in the vertical direction 102 above the axle arrangement 1.

[0037] In particular, more installation space can be generated on the body 50 in the area of ​​the rear row of seats of the vehicle 100. This can create more comfort for the occupants of the vehicle 100. In particular, more space can also be provided for flexible seating configurations of the seats of the vehicle 100.

[0038] This is achieved by the design of the axle arrangement 1 according to the invention described below.

[0039] The plurality of control arms 3 and the spring and / or damper element 4 are each directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 via a separate connection point. Preferably, the connection is articulated, i.e., with a permitted rotation about a respective axis. Preferably, all of these rotation axes are arranged substantially horizontally.

[0040] In the axle arrangement 1, the spring and / or damper element 4 is connected to the wheel carrier 2 at a first connection point 11, wherein the first connection point 11 is arranged behind the wheel axle 20 with respect to a direction of travel 101 and below the wheel axle 20 in the vertical direction 102.

[0041] This allows the spring and / or damper element 4 to be connected to the wheel carrier 2 as low as possible, whereby its necessary installation space upwards in the direction of the passenger compartment and in particular starting from the wheel axle 20 can be kept particularly small.

[0042] Furthermore, the axle arrangement 1 comprises an upper longitudinal arm 33 and an upper transverse arm 34. The upper longitudinal arm 33 and the upper transverse arm 34 are jointly designed as a triangular arm 36.

[0043] The wishbone 36 is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 at an upper connection point 14, wherein the upper connection point 14 is arranged above the wheel axle 20 (see Figures 2 to 4). In particular, the upper connection point 14 is located substantially at the level of the wheel axle 20 with respect to the direction of travel 101.

[0044] The upper wishbone 34 extends essentially parallel to the wheel axis 20.

[0045] The upper longitudinal control arm 33 extends from the upper connection point 14, in particular essentially in a horizontal plane, obliquely rearward with respect to the direction of travel 101.

[0046] The spring and / or damper element 4 extends substantially vertically upwards and between the upper wishbone 34 and the upper longitudinal arm 33.

[0047] Furthermore, the plurality of control arms 3 includes a lower longitudinal control arm 32, which is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 at a third connection point 13. The third connection point 13 is arranged vertically below the wheel axle 20.

[0048] In detail, the third connection point 13 is arranged in the vertical direction 102 below the first connection point 11 (see in particular Figures 2 and 4 to 6).

[0049] The lower longitudinal control arm 32 extends diagonally forward with respect to the direction of travel 101.

[0050] In addition, the axle assembly 1 can comprise a central wishbone 35, which is arranged in the vertical direction 102 essentially at the level of the wheel axle 20 and is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2. The central wishbone 35 can be arranged behind the wheel axle 20 in the direction of travel 101 (see in particular Figure 3). Furthermore, the central wishbone 35 extends in particular essentially transversely to the direction of travel 101.

[0051] The axle arrangement 1 further comprises a stabilizer 6. The stabilizer 6 is arranged completely behind the wheel axle 20 with respect to the direction of travel 101.

[0052] The stabilizer 6 is connected to the wheel carrier 2 by means of a pendulum support 7. The pendulum support 7 is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 at a stabilizer connection point 17 and extends essentially vertically upwards from the stabilizer connection point 17 (see Figures 2 to 4).

[0053] The stabilizer connection point 17 can be arranged in the vertical direction 102 below the wheel axle 20.

[0054] In particular, the stabilizer 6 is arranged substantially completely above the wheel axle 20.

[0055] Furthermore, the plurality of links 3 comprises a camber link 31, which is directly connected to the wheel carrier 2 at a second connection point 12. The second connection point 12 is located behind the wheel axle 20 with respect to the direction of travel 101 and below the wheel axle in the vertical direction 102.

[0056] 20 (see Figures 2 and 5).

[0057] The camber arm 31 extends essentially parallel to the wheel axis 20 or slightly diagonally to the rear (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0058] The second connection point 2 is arranged vertically above the first connection point 11, i.e., between the first connection point 11 and the wheel axle 20.

[0059] The camber arm 31 has a through-opening 21 through which the spring and / or damper element 4 extends in the vertical direction (see in particular Figure 6).

[0060] In detail, the camber arm 31 has two legs 31a, between which the through-opening 21 is formed and which are formed together as a one-piece component. In particular, the through-opening

[0061] 21 is sufficiently dimensioned to allow the spring and / or damper element 4 and the camber link 31 sufficient freedom of movement under all possible twisting of the axle arrangement 1. List of reference symbols:

[0062] 1 axle arrangement

[0063] 2 wheel carriers

[0064] 3 majority of handlebars

[0065] 4 Spring and / or damper element

[0066] 6 Stabilizer

[0067] 7 pendulum support

[0068] 11 first connection point

[0069] 12 second connection point

[0070] 13 third connection point

[0071] 14 upper connection point

[0072] 17 Stabilizer connection point

[0073] 20 axle arrangement

[0074] 21 Passage opening

[0075] 31 camber handlebars

[0076] 31a Leg

[0077] 32 lower trailing arm

[0078] 33 upper trailing arm

[0079] 34 upper wishbone

[0080] 35 wishbones

[0081] 36 wishbones

[0082] 41 dampers

[0083] 42 spring

[0084] 50 body

[0085] 100 vehicles

[0086] 101 Direction of travel 102 Vertical direction

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Axle arrangement of a vehicle (100), comprising: a wheel carrier (2) having a wheel axle (20), a plurality of control arms (3) connected to the wheel carrier (2), and a spring and / or damper element (4), wherein the wheel carrier (2) can be connected, in particular exclusively, via the control arms (3) and the spring and / or damper element (4) to a body (50) and / or to an axle carrier of the vehicle (100), wherein the spring and / or damper element (4) is directly connected to the wheel carrier (2) at a first connection point (11), wherein the first connection point (11) is arranged behind the wheel axle (20) with respect to a direction of travel (101) of the vehicle (100) and below the wheel axle (20) in the vertical direction (102).wherein the plurality of links (3) comprises a camber link (31) which is directly connected to the wheel carrier (2) at a second connection point (12), wherein the second connection point (12) is arranged behind the wheel axle (20) and in the vertical direction (102) below the wheel axle (20) with respect to the direction of travel (101) of the vehicle (100), and wherein the first connection point (11) is arranged vertically below the second connection point (12).

2. Axle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the camber arm (31) has a through opening (21) through which the spring and / or damper element (4) extends.

3. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of control arms (3) comprises a longitudinal control arm (32) which is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at a third connection point (13), and wherein the third connection point (13) is arranged in the vertical direction (102) below the wheel axle (20).

4. Axle arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the third connection point (13) is arranged vertically below the first connection point (11) and the second connection point (12), or wherein the third connection point (13) is arranged vertically between the first connection point (11) and the second connection point (12), or wherein the third connection point (13) is arranged vertically above the first connection point (11) and the second connection point (12).

5. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring and / or damper element (4) has a damper (41) and a spring (42), wherein the damper (41) is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at the first connection point (11), and wherein the spring (42) is connected directly to the wheel carrier (2) at the first connection point (11) or is connected indirectly to the wheel carrier (2) at a spring connection point.

6. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stabilizer (6).

7. Axle arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the stabilizer (6) is arranged behind the wheel axle (20) with respect to the direction of travel (101), 8. Axle arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of links (3) comprises a total of five links (31, 32, 33, 34, 35).

9. Axle arrangement according to claim 8, wherein at least two control arms (33, 34) are formed together as a wishbone (36).

10. Vehicle comprising an axle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Rear suspension for motor vehicles

    DE102016206220B4

  • Wheel carrier for a vehicle's wheel suspension

    DE102020132789A1

  • Wheel suspension of a vehicle

    DE102021122012A1

  • Independent wheel suspension and rear axle with independent wheel suspension for a vehicle and appropriately equipped vehicle

    DE202014101432U1